- Austrian Airlines and Vienna Airport bid farewell to Austria’s national football team at the “Mission World Cup Starts Here”event as they embark on their journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
- Around 200 enthusiastic fans and children formed a motivational guard of honour leading to the Austrian Airlines Boeing 777, registration OE-LPA.
- Austria’s home carrier transports the team nonstop from Vienna to Los Angeles – with a former Austrian U19 international at the controls.
The Austrian national football team’s journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup began on Thursday morning at Vienna Airport. Under the motto “Mission World Cup Starts Here,” the team was given a ceremonial send-off before departing on Austrian Airlines flight OS51 at 10 am for a nonstop flight to Los Angeles.
Together with representatives of the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB), Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler, State Secretary Michaela Schmidt, and representatives of Vienna Airport and Austrian Airlines, the launch of Austria’s World Cup campaign was celebrated in the airport’s ceremonial courtyard and on the apron. Numerous media representatives, content creators, and the lucky winners of an Austrian Airlines competition joined the event to witness this special moment.
Approximately 200 fans, including many children wearing Austria national team jerseys, created an atmosphere of excitement and pride, providing a truly unique boarding experience. Forming a guard of honour on the apron, they waved flags, applauded, and personally wished the players success on their journey to the World Cup. The extraordinary setting transformed the final moments before departure into a vibrant red-white-red football celebration at Vienna Airport and highlighted the broad support enjoyed by Austria’s national team.
As Austria’s home carrier and an official partner, Austrian Airlines is proud to accompany the team safely and comfortably on its journey to the World Cup, contributing to a special chapter in Austrian football history. The entire Austrian Airlines team joins the nation in wishing the squad every success and many memorable matches.
A Special Flight and a Special Reunion
For the national team’s flight to Los Angeles, Austrian Airlines deployed a Boeing 777 bearing the registration OE-LPA. Unsurprisingly, it was a flight many colleagues from both the cockpit and cabin crew had hoped to be assigned to.
Among them was First Officer Andreas Bammer, whose career path uniquely combines elite sport and aviation. Bammer himself represented Austria at U19 level and made around 70 appearances in the Austrian Bundesliga for SV Ried, SCR Altach, and Wacker Innsbruck, as well as 129 appearances in Austria’s second division. Starting already during his professional football career, he took on a leadership role in a youth development project while simultaneously completing his pilot training.
For Bammer and several members of today’s national team, the flight marked a special reunion – no longer on the football pitch, but at an altitude of more than 10,000 metres.